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Meram, Gehrig Aiming For Bigger Roles

By: Adam Jardy

The Columbus Dispatch - November 09, 2012 10:45 AM

With a combined 25 games of action during their rookie seasons, Justin Meram and Eric Gehrig
both entered 2012 hoping for a more impactful season. Now heading into their second offseason as
professionals, both players feel they have made their cases for more extended action next year.

As a rookie, Meram saw action in 17 games including four starts and recorded two assists but did
not score. Gehrig played in eight games including four starts on the back line. A first-round draft
pick, Meram improved those numbers to 22 games including 11 starts and finished with four goals.
Three of those goals came in consecutive games, while the fourth was a late game-winner Sept. 19
against Chivas USA.

But when asked to assess his season, Meram first pointed to the fact that the Crew failed to
reach the postseason for the first time since 2007.

“For me, we didn’t make the playoffs so I feel like maybe I didn’t do enough as a player,” he
said. “I feel like we could all do a little better. Getting on the score sheet was a goal of mine I
wanted to accomplish, being an offensive player. I feel like four goals and an assist in the
minutes I played – a little more than 900 (960) – is pretty good. I wish I could get a little more
minutes, but that comes with playing. I feel like I deserve more minutes, clearly, but we missed
the playoffs. I think collectively we have to do a better job from the beginning and closing out
because in that stretch in the summer we were excellent.“

Eight of Meram’s starts came before designated player Federico Higuain appeared in uniform and
the University of Michigan product primarily served as a late-game spark down the stretch, although
he did earn the start in the Crew’s crucial 3-2 road loss to D.C. United that eliminated the club
from postseason contention.

For that, Meram credited what he felt was an improved defensive awareness.

“I seem to be much fitter and more decisive,” he said. “I got more goals and more shots in the
final third, and then defensively from last year I had a couple mistakes that cost goals and this
year I can’t pinpoint a situation. That also goes with my teammates around me. My defensive
awareness improved, which when you improve that area as an offensive player it’s prideful.”

Although it was Meram’s failed clearance against United that helped allow the home side to notch
its second goal, Meram said he is aiming for bigger things next year.

“I think I’m ready going into my third year,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot these two years,
which has helped my game. I also have more things to learn. Everybody does. My goals coming into
next year like everyone else is to be fit and to go out there and do what I can do.”

Gehrig, meanwhile, was a benefactor of a wealth of injuries that affected the defensive unit
particularly in the early going of the year. He finished with 12 appearances including eight
starts, several of which came with little to no advance warning.

“I thought overall it was pretty good,” he said of his year. “At the end of the day I’m still a
young player in this league. This is only my second season and playing the center back position
comes with a lot of pressure because any little mistake can cost you. I think for the circumstances
I did pretty well. A lot of times I would find out an hour or a couple hours or minutes before a
game that I was going to play. I would say that was the case for most of my games. I know we’re all
professionals and everyone has got to be ready but it’s still not the easiest circumstances.”

Starting March 31 at Toronto, Gehrig started in six of eight games as the Crew went 2-3-1 with
him in the starting lineup. After a spot start July 14 against Sporting Kansas City and one minute
a week later as a reserve, he did not see first-team action for 12 straight games. It added up to a
season that was occasionally frustrating but ultimately one Gehrig said he feels shows he should be
ready for more responsibility next year.

“All things considered I’ve done pretty well,” he said. “I got a decent number of wins and we
took I think a lot of points in the games I’ve played. I think it’s a good year to build on for
next year and for many years to come. A way to get better in this league is just experience. Those
kinds of plays and games that happen this year are going to make me a better player in the long
run. I can honestly say that I’ve taken a lot of things way from my games and from plays and
feedback that I’m going to use going forward.

“I would certainly like to think I proved myself and would like to play a bigger role next year
and get this team back to the playoffs where it belongs.”

He was also a key contributor on the Crew’s reserve league squad, which won its second straight
title. Gehrig was again named the captain in the clinching game.

“I think the way I play, I let my play do the talking,” he said. “I don’t complain and moan
about things. I think when guys see the work and the effort and the never-say-die attitude – I
would die for you kind of mentality, I think that feeds off into the team and I think the guys
appreciate that. Some of the older guys have approached me and told me they appreciate it. I’m a
team guy. I always will be. I want to help this team win, and for me there’s no better feeling than
going to battle after a 1-0, hard-fought battle with your guys on the field.”

Both players will return home during the offseason to train. For Gehrig, that means a trip back
to the Chicago area with a short vacation also in the works.

“I’ve got a couple of weddings to attend, so that’s going to be fun,” he said. “I’m going to
take a little vacation, probably four or five days, maybe down south to Florida. Last year was a
good offseason for me. I really put in a lot of work and felt good coming into the preseason so I’m
looking to put the same amount of work in if not more this offseason. There’s a lot of MLS guys in
the Chicago area and we train together. Then I lift and work out at my alma mater.”

Said Meram: “I’ve got my academy I run,
the J9 Academy, second year,
which is good. I’ve got a lot of kids. I’ve got one on the east side and one on the west side of
Michigan. I’ll be busy doing that. I train with Barwis Methods. They’re kind of far. I have to see
what the plans are and keep in touch with them and then train on my own, play a little bit with my
other buddies.”

The Crew is not releasing contract information about its players, but The Dispatch has learned
that the Crew holds two more option years on Gehrig. Meram is likely in the same situation.